CALIFORNIA CUSTODIAN CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM 250
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Summary of Content Areas:
Section Topic Questions
1 Custodial Safety & Cal/OSHA Compliance 1–35
2 Cleaning Chemicals & Hazard Communication 36–75
3 Infection Prevention & Restroom Sanitation 76–115
4 Floor Care & Surface Maintenance 116–160
5 Equipment Use & Maintenance 161–195
6 Waste Handling & Recycling 196–220
7 Building Security & Professional Responsibilities 221–250
This practice exam covers the core content areas of the California Custodian
Certification Exam (Custodian I):
Custodial safety, PPE, and Cal/OSHA compliance
Hazard communication, SDS interpretation, and safe chemical handling
Infection prevention, bloodborne pathogens, and restroom sanitation
Floor care, including stripping, finishing, buffing, and carpet cleaning
, Equipment operation, maintenance, and inspection
Waste handling, recycling, and hazardous material disposal
Building security, emergency procedures, and professional responsibilities
Note: The California Custodian Certification Exam is administered by the California
Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and is a servicewide, open examination for
entry-level custodial positions in state service. The exam consists of a written multiple-
choice test, and a minimum score of 70% is required for placement on the eligible list..
SECTION 1: CUSTODIAL SAFETY & CAL/OSHA COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–35)
1. A custodian discovers a chemical spill in a school hallway. What is the first action
that should be taken?
A) Clean up the spill immediately with a mop
B) Evacuate the immediate area and alert the supervisor
C) Pour water on the spill to dilute it
D) Continue with the assigned cleaning route
Answer: B – Evacuate the immediate area and alert the supervisor
Rationale: Safety is the first priority. The custodian must ensure the area is safe before
attempting any cleanup. Alerting the supervisor ensures proper procedures and PPE are
used.
2. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A) To provide marketing information about the product
B) To communicate the hazards and safe handling of a chemical
,C) To list the price of the chemical
D) To provide a warranty for the product
Answer: B – To communicate the hazards and safe handling of a chemical
Rationale: The SDS provides critical information about a chemical's hazards, safe handling,
storage, first-aid measures, and disposal procedures.
3. When should gloves be worn by a custodian?
A) Only when handling visibly soiled items
B) When there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, or chemicals
C) Only when cleaning restrooms
D) Gloves are never required for custodial work
Answer: B – When there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, or chemicals
Rationale: Gloves are required whenever there is potential exposure to bloodborne
pathogens, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals, per Cal/OSHA standards.
4. What is the correct procedure for lifting a heavy object?
A) Bend at the waist and lift quickly
B) Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
C) Twist the torso while lifting
D) Hold the object away from the body
Answer: B – Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
Rationale: Proper lifting technique prevents back injuries. The load should be kept close to
the body and lifted using the leg muscles.
, 5. Which of the following is a slip, trip, or fall hazard that a custodian should
immediately address?
A) A wet floor sign placed in a spill area
B) A frayed electrical cord across a walkway
C) A clean, dry floor
D) A properly stored ladder
Answer: B – A frayed electrical cord across a walkway
Rationale: Frayed cords are both a tripping hazard and an electrical hazard. They must be
removed or secured immediately.
6. A custodian must clean up blood. Which PPE is required?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and a mask only
C) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
D) No PPE is required if cleaned quickly
Answer: C – Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Rationale: Bloodborne pathogen cleanup requires full PPE to prevent exposure to blood and
other potentially infectious materials.
7. What does the term "lockout/tagout" refer to in a custodial context?
A) Locking a door to prevent entry
B) A safety procedure to ensure equipment is de-energized before maintenance
C) Tagging a cleaning cart for inventory
D) Locking up cleaning chemicals
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Summary of Content Areas:
Section Topic Questions
1 Custodial Safety & Cal/OSHA Compliance 1–35
2 Cleaning Chemicals & Hazard Communication 36–75
3 Infection Prevention & Restroom Sanitation 76–115
4 Floor Care & Surface Maintenance 116–160
5 Equipment Use & Maintenance 161–195
6 Waste Handling & Recycling 196–220
7 Building Security & Professional Responsibilities 221–250
This practice exam covers the core content areas of the California Custodian
Certification Exam (Custodian I):
Custodial safety, PPE, and Cal/OSHA compliance
Hazard communication, SDS interpretation, and safe chemical handling
Infection prevention, bloodborne pathogens, and restroom sanitation
Floor care, including stripping, finishing, buffing, and carpet cleaning
, Equipment operation, maintenance, and inspection
Waste handling, recycling, and hazardous material disposal
Building security, emergency procedures, and professional responsibilities
Note: The California Custodian Certification Exam is administered by the California
Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and is a servicewide, open examination for
entry-level custodial positions in state service. The exam consists of a written multiple-
choice test, and a minimum score of 70% is required for placement on the eligible list..
SECTION 1: CUSTODIAL SAFETY & CAL/OSHA COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–35)
1. A custodian discovers a chemical spill in a school hallway. What is the first action
that should be taken?
A) Clean up the spill immediately with a mop
B) Evacuate the immediate area and alert the supervisor
C) Pour water on the spill to dilute it
D) Continue with the assigned cleaning route
Answer: B – Evacuate the immediate area and alert the supervisor
Rationale: Safety is the first priority. The custodian must ensure the area is safe before
attempting any cleanup. Alerting the supervisor ensures proper procedures and PPE are
used.
2. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A) To provide marketing information about the product
B) To communicate the hazards and safe handling of a chemical
,C) To list the price of the chemical
D) To provide a warranty for the product
Answer: B – To communicate the hazards and safe handling of a chemical
Rationale: The SDS provides critical information about a chemical's hazards, safe handling,
storage, first-aid measures, and disposal procedures.
3. When should gloves be worn by a custodian?
A) Only when handling visibly soiled items
B) When there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, or chemicals
C) Only when cleaning restrooms
D) Gloves are never required for custodial work
Answer: B – When there is potential contact with blood, body fluids, or chemicals
Rationale: Gloves are required whenever there is potential exposure to bloodborne
pathogens, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals, per Cal/OSHA standards.
4. What is the correct procedure for lifting a heavy object?
A) Bend at the waist and lift quickly
B) Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
C) Twist the torso while lifting
D) Hold the object away from the body
Answer: B – Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs
Rationale: Proper lifting technique prevents back injuries. The load should be kept close to
the body and lifted using the leg muscles.
, 5. Which of the following is a slip, trip, or fall hazard that a custodian should
immediately address?
A) A wet floor sign placed in a spill area
B) A frayed electrical cord across a walkway
C) A clean, dry floor
D) A properly stored ladder
Answer: B – A frayed electrical cord across a walkway
Rationale: Frayed cords are both a tripping hazard and an electrical hazard. They must be
removed or secured immediately.
6. A custodian must clean up blood. Which PPE is required?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and a mask only
C) Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
D) No PPE is required if cleaned quickly
Answer: C – Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Rationale: Bloodborne pathogen cleanup requires full PPE to prevent exposure to blood and
other potentially infectious materials.
7. What does the term "lockout/tagout" refer to in a custodial context?
A) Locking a door to prevent entry
B) A safety procedure to ensure equipment is de-energized before maintenance
C) Tagging a cleaning cart for inventory
D) Locking up cleaning chemicals
